History and Symbols

                                                

                                     

          Gamma Eta History | National History

            Gamma Eta's History at the University of Richmond

Not since the mass induction of ten chapters at Emory University in 1961 had there been such a colonization effort like the one at the University of Richmond.  After a student poll revealed high interest in sororities, a committee of students, faculty, and alumnae selected and installed 6 nationally recognized sororities from May 1 through May 4, 1986.  Delta Delta Delta was the first of these chapters.

 

The Gamma Eta chapter was founded on May 1, 1986, and colonized in February 1987 with Membership Director Lois Depuy Boston and Collegiate Vice President Normita Ellis Error heading the efforts of a team including district presidents, field representatives, Virginia alumnae, and collegians from Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and William and Mary.


The initiation of 89 women on February 14, 1987 took place in the Hyatt Richmond Hotel in Brookfield (the 90th member missed initiation while performing as Cherry Blossom Queen in Washington, D.C.!) The installation banquet was Friday, May 1, 1987 and celebrates its 20th anniversary this year!
 

 

 

 

 

 


   

 

 

National History


 

Even though there were already three women's groups established at Boston University in 1888, Sarah Ida Shaw recognized a need for a new group which would be different from the others.  She said to her friend, Eleanor Dorcas Pond, "Let us found a society that shall be kind alike to all and think more of a girl's inner self and character than of her personal appearance."

 

With this,  the two women began the work of creating a new national fraternity. Later Sarah wrote, "...The two enthusiastic friends were unaware of the fact that there was something stupendous about the task they had set hands, heads and hearts to accomplish. They were working for a principle, and it never occurred to them that there could be such a thing as failure. Earnestness of purpose, energy and enthusiasm had brought them both success in college and why should not these same qualities bring assurance of good fortune to the new venture."

 

 

Sarah Ida Shaw
 
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Some early sisters

 

The two friends finalized their commitment to the fraternity and to one another under a bright new moon and three brilliant stars, thus establishing one of the sorority's most precious emblems.

 

The 18 women of the Alpha Chapter were initiated on January 15, 1889.

 
Symbols
 

The pearl is symbolic of our new members, because it is the one thing that starts out as a tiny nucleus and grows into a thing of great value and beauty

The pine was chosen to symbolize the collegiate member for its great strength

The pansy is symbolic of our alumnae and is the third step in the lifetime membership of Tri Delta members

This flag was adopted by the 1906 convention

The dolphin is symbolic of clear skies and smooth sailing

The badge containing our colors: silver, gold, and blue

Fun Facts

  • Tri Delta was the first women’s fraternity to…

    • be founded as a national organization with complete plans for governmental structure and expansion.

    • publish a book-length history: A Detailed Record of Delta Delta Delta, 1888-1907

    • hold a national Leadership Conference

    • plan and perfect an alumnae system

    • establish a central office
       

  • Tri Delta was one of the seven organizations founding the National Panhellenic Conference

 

  • Neil Armstrong put his wife’s Tri Delta badge on the moon!